Wednesday, November 17
I was given a thorn in the flesh.—2 Cor. 12:7.
The apostle Paul was saying that he faced a painful personal trial of some sort. He called this trial “an angel of Satan” that kept “slapping” (“beating,” ftn.) him. Satan or his demon angels may not directly have caused Paul’s trials, as if driving a thorn into his flesh. But when those wicked spirits noticed the “thorn,” they may have been eager to push it in deeper, so to speak, to increase Paul’s pain. What did Paul do? At first, Paul wanted to be rid of the “thorn.” He admits: “Three times I begged the Lord [Jehovah] . . . that it would depart from me.” Yet, despite Paul’s prayers, the thorn in the flesh remained. Does this mean that Jehovah did not answer Paul’s prayers? Not at all. He did answer them. Jehovah did not remove the problem, but he did give Paul the strength to endure it. Jehovah said: “My power is being made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:8, 9) And with God’s help, Paul was able to maintain his joy and inner peace!—Phil. 4:4-7. w19.11 9 ¶4-5
November 15-21
JOSHUA 23-24
Song 50 and Prayer
Opening Comments (1 min.)
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD
“Joshua’s Final Admonition to the Nation”: (10 min.)
Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)
Jos 24:2—Was Abraham’s father, Terah, a worshipper of idols? (w04 12/1 12 ¶1)
What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share regarding Jehovah, the field ministry, or something else?
Bible Reading: (4 min.) Jos 24:19-33 (th study 11)
APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY
Initial Call: (3 min.) Begin with the sample conversation. Overcome a common objection. (th study 2)
Return Visit: (4 min.) Begin with the sample conversation. Offer the Enjoy Life Forever! brochure. (th study 20)
Bible Study: (5 min.) lffi lesson 01 summary, review, and goal (th study 3)
LIVING AS CHRISTIANS
Avoid Bad Associations at Work: (7 min.) Discussion. Play the video dramatization Avoid What Erodes Loyalty—Bad Associations. Then ask the audience: What negative effect did bad associations at work have on the sister? What change did she make, and how did that help her? What lessons does this dramatization teach you about avoiding bad associations?
Find Friends in Unexpected Places: (8 min.) Discussion. Play the video. Then ask the audience: What challenges caused Akil to become involved in bad associations at school? How did he find good associations in the congregation? What lessons does this dramatization teach you about finding good associates?
Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) rr chap. 16 ¶1-8, intro video
Concluding Comments (3 min.)
Song 39 and Prayer